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- The ouster of McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook is sparking mixed reactions on Wall Street.
- Some analysts are standing by the fast-food giant and its remaining management team, but others fear the change will leave investors with greater uncertainty about the stock's upside.
- Here's what five analysts are saying about Easterbrook's shocking departure - and what it means for the future of the company.
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McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook's surprising exit from the fast-food giant is sparking mixed reactions on Wall Street.
Some analysts are sticking by McDonald's and reiterating high price targets in anticipation of little change to the company's long-term strategy of investing in technology and international markets.
Other Wall Street firms are concerned the abrupt leadership transition could hamper the stock price in the near term.
Investors appear to share similar worries about the sudden shake-up as well. McDonald's shares traded as much as 2% lower Monday morning after the news was released.
Easterbrook - who was fired over the weekend for having a relationship with a subordinate - has been credited with turning the struggling company around amid the shifting fast-food landscape. McDonald's shares have gained 96% since he took over as CEO in March 2015.
Easterbrook will be succeeded by McDonald's USA President Chris Kempczinski, a familiar face for investors, according to Cowen analyst Andrew Charles.
Here's what five Wall Street firms are saying about Easterbrook's ouster - and what is means for the fast-food giant's future: